Jonathan L Vennerstrom

Jonathan L Vennerstrom, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Pharmacy. His academic career spans over two decades with continuous research activity documented from 2002 through 2025.

Dr. Vennerstrom's research focuses on antiparasitic drug discovery with particular emphasis on antimalarial drug design and synthesis and the investigation of heme as a mechanistic intersection for antimalarial drugs. His laboratory currently pursues drug discovery for schistosomiasis, cytomegalovirus, and tuberculosis. Recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to medium-ring keto lactams, diaryl ureas, and tetrahydro-γ-carboline sulfonamides as promising antiparasitic chemotypes.

His publication record shows consistent output with over 100 publications since 2002, including high-impact articles in journals like ACS Infectious Diseases and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. The research demonstrates strong focus on

• antischistosomal compounds
• antimalarial mechanisms
• novel heterocyclic synthesis
• parasite-specific drug targeting

At UNMC, Dr. Vennerstrom serves as course coordinator for Medicinal Chemistry I and II in the professional pharmacy curriculum and teaches Advanced Medicinal Chemistry at the graduate level. His teaching directly supports the educational mission of the College of Pharmacy through integration of cutting-edge research into classroom instruction.